Lyman 457132

[Klaus]

Hi Gents,
i`ve been casting a lot of different Bullets since a lot of years

Due to my limited Range i never weight my cast bullets in the past seriously.

last week i weight a batch of 50 Postel Bullets i have cast with my soft Alloy an a bit Tin i use regulary
(Roof Lead ) thinking it is a 30:1 Mix

results for 50 Bullets are a Difference only +/ - 1 grain

But the scale shows 490 grs. grossweight only and this for a 535 grs Bullet so far the information on the Mouldbox tells.
mayby there exist any 490 grs versions of the Postell Bullet.

any info is appreciated

regards Klaus

[Mike]

Klaus, How many lube grooves does your bullet have? For the 535 grain version it should have four grooves. Lately I've seen shortened versions of 457132 and if your bullet was shortened, eliminating one lube groove, a weight of 490 grains is very likely. Also, several years ago the 457132 Postell bullet was available from Lyman with three different weights so those molds were offered for making the Postell bullets with two, three, or four lube grooves. If your mold is an early Lyman, or one that is marked Ideal, then you not only have a good lighter weight bullet mold but a good collector's item as well. Shoot sharp, Mike

[Klaus]

Klaus, How many lube grooves does your bullet have? For the 535 grain version it should have four grooves. Lately I've seen shortened versions of 457132 and if your bullet was shortened, eliminating one lube groove, a weight of 490 grains is very likely. Also, several years ago the 457132 Postell bullet was available from Lyman with three different weights so those molds were offered for making the Postell bullets with two, three, or four lube grooves. If your mold is an early Lyman, or one that is marked Ideal, then you not only have a good lighter weight bullet mold but a good collector's item as well. Shoot sharp, Mike

Hi Mike,

it is the four grove Bullet ,
i know about a 475 grs version but never saw it at at any time
Paul Matthews has shortened a 535 grs Mould so he wrote in his books.
i have no explanation why this bullet`s weight 490 grs only
will take some pics this evening
Klaus

[Mike]

Klaus, Yes, take some pictures. I'm curious about the looks of your bullets. Shoot sharp, Mike

[Klaus]

hereby some pics










on the side of the Mouldblock written 457132 DC

Klaus

[Mike]

Klaus, That looks like the typical Lyman Postell to me, full size. My only guess is that your alloy is making your bullets weigh lighter than the generally listed weight. But on the other hand, if those bullets are shooting well, what difference does it make? Shoot sharp, Mike

[Old Jim]

Over the past years, I have bought several Lyman Postel bullet moulds. All were marked as the displayed box, but some even were a tapered bands bullet, reducing the wt. I also, always, measure a bullets length and diameter and record that in my record-keeping process. Some of those molds cast bullets that were shorter than what I wanted and were returned to the seller.

Rumors have it that Lyman does NOT make all the molds they sell. I cannot swear to that statement.

Test your alloy, make sure of the l/t ratio, as has been said.

All the best,

[Mike]

Old Jim, Very good input and observations. I do know that Lyman has used several cherries over the years and that bullets cast from molds made at various times will not be completely identical. This simply means that each bullet mold is basically an individual. Lyman certainly isn't alone in this regard. Shoot sharp, Mike

[laowho]

Well now you've got me curious Klaus. Since Old Jim has made his observations, may not help to post pics of box and bullet and mould, but I'm shootin some today. Will weigh this evening and let you know what mine are. (Just purchased a coupla months back f/ BACO). Cheers, Doug

[Old Jim]

Buffalo Arms offers some pretty good bullet molds (and other stuff) to the bullet casters. Their mold blocks are larger in size and over time will provide a consistent casting. Something that smaller, lighter wt. bullet molds may not do. Over the last 25 years of shooting BP and cast bullets I have shot some very questionable bullets into some very small groups, so as WE learn things, we learn things LOL Looking forward to Doug's testing.

All the best,